Actually, it was very logical to threaten Hershel. Remember it was a threat to start with. He figured that Hershel was more liked and more valuable to the group than Michonne, therefore, Rick would be more willing to give up the prison to save Hershel.

Then don't kill him, if you decide to execute the hostage, you usually started with the less valuable, yes? How could, by killing Hershel, the governor hope to accompolish making " Rick would be more willing to give up the prison to save Hershel", do you mean saving a dead body?

I don't think Hershel thought he would die at that moment. I think the smile was because he was moved by Rick's speech and his attempt to diffuse the situation. Hershel had always been the moral compass of the group and I think he was proud of Rick's words/actions in a tough situation and I think he thought that the Governor would back down and they could work out a treaty.

As for the expression after this death? I think he most likely was in shock after being struck. That would also explain why he tried to escape even though he was dying. Sometimes when people are in shock they will still try to protect themselves or try to convince others they are fine with they are very far from it. I think it was a mix of being in shock and going into survival mode.

Brutal scene, but done in a tasteful way for what it was. I was surprised the Governor specifically went back to finish it, but I too am glad it was fuzzed out. If it was in plain sight, it would have been too much I think.

Even though I hate to say it, I definitely feel that the Governor chose well in beheading Hershel. Michonne would not have had the same impact emotionally and he knew it. Heck, they were willing to almost hand her over a few months earlier. The Governor was a smart man. By taking the "innocent voice of morality" he gave the prison crew the bigger FU then killing Michonne and he knew it.

You've got it spot on. Hershal and Rick had become really close. He'd seen where this world had taken Rick and that smile was part pride in the man Rick still is and also, "I might just get out of this".

i wasn't surprised the Gov' went after Hershal though. As calculated as the Governor was, that was a visceral reaction to defiance.

Even though I hate to say it, I definitely feel that the Governor chose well in beheading Hershel. Michonne would not have had the same impact emotionally and he knew it. Heck, they were willing to almost hand her over a few months earlier. The Governor was a smart man. By taking the "innocent voice of morality" he gave the prison crew the bigger FU then killing Michonne and he knew it.

At that point TG was no longer looking for any "bargaining chip" to use, he was looking for the most emotionally devestating impact on the prison group. He understood the importance of Hershel to the group, and he knew that Hershel's two daughters were with them. He may even have understood the impact on Glenn through his relationship with Maggie... although he wouldn't have know that Glenn had been sick and was still in recovery - minimizing his threat as an adversary.

What I was confused about is why Hershel's expression remained calm even after getting the whack. Didn't look like he was hurting at all.

What was the significance of Hershel trying to get away?
THe way the gov finished Hershel off seemed like he was really pissed off at him, which I don't understand why.

Oh come on man. Hershel was in shock when he got the whack. if you've never seen a real live beheading before let me tell you, they dont make a facial expression unless their head is being "carved off". instead, one quick swipe all the veins are severed. now he has about a minute at best before he bleeds out. RIP hershel.

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the problem i had with hershel's execution was that rather than lying their bleeding out he still managed to squirm around on the ground despite his head dangling off of his neck with all the veins severed. with some people, i can understand how this would happen. adrenaline, shock, etc. but this is 60 yr old, grey beard hershel. its almost impossible for any young, ordinary, healthy human being to survive that first cut and wiggle around on the ground let alone hershel. totally unrealistic yet i still thought this was the best episode ive ever seen of any show. Ozymandias from breaking bad was a very close 2nd though.

hershel was killed, in my opinion, for tactical and practical reasons. the gov had gotten to know michonne enough to be sure she wasnt going to express herself verbally in front of everyone, she would probably just sulk (like she did), while hershel, with that "it could work, you know it could" was probably touching chords into the gov's soul that weren't bound to be touched. in a sense, hershel, maybe more than rick himself, was reminding the gov that you can in fact BE DIFFERENT if you want, you can be a better man. therefore, by beheading hershel, not only TG killed the last voice of reason into himself, but also a symbol of good, metaphorically speaking.

I do not understand, the Governor should know that killing Hershel would immediate starting the fight, it is not necessary the same case if he kills Michonne, he could have someone point a gun at Hershel, then start cutting off things from Michonne's body, and tells Rick he would not stop until they give up the prison, if that still will not work, he can have Hershel in front of his poor people, dare Hershel's daughters and Glenn to shoot their fater themself or allow others shooting their fater, Hershel would be much more useful to him alive

I do not understand, the Governor should know that killing Hershel would immediate starting the fight, it is not necessary the same case if he kills Michonne, he could have someone point a gun at Hershel, then start cutting off things from Michonne's body, and tells Rick he would not stop until they give up the prison, if that still will not work, he can have Hershel in front of his poor people, dare Hershel's daughters and Glenn to shoot their fater themself or allow others shooting their fater, Hershel would be much more useful to him alive

maybe he did want to start the fight right away. he was a psycho, i dont think he could hold onto his fake humanity for long.

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